The Bucs have lost yet another defensive starter to injured reserve. Tampa Bay has placed second-year defensive back Christian Izien, who has started 10 games and played in 14, on I.R. with a pectoral injury he suffered in last week’s loss at Dallas, 26-24, on Sunday Night Football.

Losing one starter in the secondary while getting one back from the injury list has been an all too common refrain this year.

The practice window just opened this week for starting strong safety Jordan Whitehead, who missed the last four games with the exact same injury – a strained pectoral – so he might be able to play this Sunday against Carolina. Antoine Winfield Jr., the team’s starting free safety, continues to miss practice with a knee injury he suffered in a win over the Raiders in Week 14.

Bucs Secondary Has Been Ravaged With Injuries This Season

Bucs CB Jamel Dean and S Christian Izien and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb – Photo by: USA Today

Strong safety Jordan Whitehead has only started 11 games this year – just one more than the versatile Christian Izien, who has seen time at strong safety, free safety, nickelback and briefly at outside cornerback – while free safety Antoine Winfield Jr. has only started nine due to foot and knee injuries this season.

Izien becomes the third member of the Bucs secondary to go on injured reserve this year. He joins the likes of Whitehead, who suffered a pectoral injury in the team’s 30-7 win at New York against the Giants in Week 12, and cornerback Jamel Dean, who suffered a severe hamstring strain in a 51-27 win at New Orleans in Week 6.

Winfield has missed a total of six games due to injuries this year, while rookie nickelback Tykee Smith missed a total of four games due to a concussion (one) and a knee injury (three).

Izien has appeared in 31 career games for Tampa Bay and has amassed 138 tackles (seven for loss), five passes defensed, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two quarterback hits. This season, Izien logged 75 tackles (four for loss), three passes defensed, one interception and one forced fumble.